10/31/2023 11:52:00 AM | Cross Country & Track
RIVERSIDE--- The latest edition of the NCAA DI National Cross Country rankings saw the California Baptist University men's team jump to fourth place after being fifth in the previous poll.
The ranking is the highest in the program's history and a result of the men's strong showing at the Western Athletic Conference Championships in Abilene this past Friday. The men came in as the favorite in the race and lived up to the billing with a 40-point edge against the field and earning a sweep of the podium.
🚨Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back🚨
— CBU XC & Track (@CBUXCTF) October 27, 2023
The men earn five top 10 finishers and an individual champion to claim their fourth @WACsports title!!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/WM8h8afRqR
The podium sweep was led by Arturs Medveds, who was the Individual Champion, clocking in at 23:37.9. Behind him were Giedrius Valincius, Valentina Soca, and Matias Reynaga, who finished 2-4 and all within four seconds of one another. The win was the men's fourth in a row and the third time the Lancers have walked away with the Individual Champion.
📍The Winner's Circle 🔥#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/NBXsQ1mpaU
— CBU XC & Track (@CBUXCTF) October 27, 2023
In the polls, CBU jumped Syracuse, who was previously in fourth and now only trails Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State, and BYU nationally. In the West Region, CBU is still the front runner, checking in ahead of Stanford, Washington, and Oregon.
The Lancers will now shift focus toward the NCAA DI West Regionals, which is set for Friday, November 10, in Sacramento, CA, where a trip to Nationals will be on the line.
